Dance and Architecture Dance and STEAM Workshop
Term 2 & 3
Primary - High School: Stage 3 – 5, Years 5 – 10
Learning areas: Creative Arts, Mathematics, PDHPE
Designed for students of all ages and abilities, this active workshop enables students to imaginatively explore our UNESCO World Heritage listed site, and create choreography inspired by the architecture of the building. Using simple dance and movement approaches, this workshop highlights engineering similarities between the human body and the building.
| Term | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Term 4 | Monday 28 October 2024 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 29 October 2024 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 4 | Wednesday 30 October 2024 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 4 | Thursday 31 October 2024 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 4 | Friday 1 November 2024 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 20 May 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 2 | Wednesday 21 May 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 2 | Thursday 22 May 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 3 | Tuesday 19 August 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 3 | Wednesday 20 August 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 3 | Thursday 21 August 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 25 students | $375 |
| 25 - 40 students | $600 |
Minimum group rates may apply for classes with less than 25 students. Ratio required for supervision is one teacher per 15 students.
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Arts Assist: The Arts Assist ticket and travel subsidy program provides the full cost of the Creative Learning program ticket and $5 per student toward travel costs. Find out more about Arts Assist.
- Audio loop available
- No language barrier
We cater to students of all needs and will make every effort to accommodate any special requirements or access adjustments your students may have. All of our venues are wheelchair accessible with dedicated wheelchair positions and companion seats. Please let us know on the booking form how we can assist in making your excursion as enjoyable as possible and we will be in touch. Alternatively, you may call Creative Learning on +61 2 9250 7770 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm AEST) or email creativelearning@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Social Story: A social story provides information about what to expect when attending a venue or show. It has short descriptions with images. Download the Centre for Creativity Social Story (PDF).
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House.
This workshop will be held in the Centre for Creativity.
Run time: This program runs for approximately 90 minutes. Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Students will be physically active in this workshop so we request that students wear their sport uniform or comfortable clothes and shoes.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Download our Child Safety Policy (PDF).
Artist and student conversationWhy can dance include imagination? It can impact other people’s emotions
Useful information:
Exploring the architecture of the body
This dynamic workshop enables students to learn how to interpret the geometry, engineering, materials and elements of our world famous building through creating a series of movements, and choreography with their bodies. Students reflect on how architects create buildings for people to inhabit, work, and move in as they explore this iconic building and its site.
The foundations of this workshop are inspired by the approaches of architect Jørn Utzon. Being inspired by nature, and connecting to the human experience, Utzon watched the wings of a seagull as it took flight as possible windows; he observed how snow and ice, clouds and sand could inspire the colours and textures of a building; and how the actions of builders and engineers who constructed the Opera House could move to and 'perform' the rhythms of the building.
In this workshop, students:
- Explore the Sydney Opera House in a tour designed to highlight the engineering connections between the human body and the building.
- Use their bodies to create movement and dance sequences, drawing from specific architectural spaces in the Sydney Opera House as repositories of physical 'memories'
- Build skills and express themselves through physical movement to interpret ideas and communicate through dance.
- Explore their own anatomy through movement and create short choreography on their own and with peers from their discoveries.
- Learn about biomimicry, and how biomechanics from nature can inspire design and architecture.
- Acquire a deeper appreciation for the design and beauty of the Sydney Opera House and feel a physical and personal connection to the site and heritage of the building.
Dance and Architecture is a Creative Learning Workshop developed by Charemaine Seet with the Creative Learning Team at the Sydney Opera House
Thank you to The Greatorex Fund for enabling the development of STEAM creative learning programs in the Centre for Creativity
Gallery
Photo credit: Katie Ford
Gallery
Plan your visit
Venue information
Please ensure that your group arrives at the venue 30 minutes prior to the performance start time. Latecomers may only be admitted to a performance during a suitable break, and in some cases, may be excluded. Please call the Creative Learning team on 02 9250 7770 to notify us if you are running late.
Your safety and security is paramount to us during your visit to the Opera House. Therefore, all items larger than the dimensions of a standard A4 piece of paper must be checked in to the cloakroom. As they have limited space, we ask that teachers and students do not bring large bags/backpacks to the performance. Some bag trolleys may be available for your school in the Western Foyers. Please ensure that any prohibited items are left at home (e.g. scissors).
Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch and snacks, however you’ll find food and drinks outlets on the lower level of the concourse.
Please note food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but only bottled water in the venues.
We recommend that students take their meal breaks on the Monumental Steps/Forecourt or in the Botanic Gardens immediately adjacent the SOH precinct. In inclement weather, there is ample room to take breaks underneath the Monumental Steps. In situations of particularly poor weather, breaks can be had in the Western Foyer. We ask that you please limit this to an as needed basis to avoid foyer congestion for other members of the General Public. There are several food and beverage options on site, as well as food and beverage options close by in Circular Quay.
Getting here
We are a 15-minute walk from Circular Quay, the closest station for public transport via train, bus and ferry. To view timetable information and ensure your public transport needs can be met, please check the Transport NSW website.
Buses and coaches can’t park onsite at Sydney Opera House. Large buses must disembark passengers on Macquarie Street in the allocated drop off zone. Please contact City of Sydney to confirm bus and coach set down areas. We recommend allowing an additional 10 minutes for walking from Macquarie Street.
Frequently asked questions
Please ensure that your group arrives at the venue 30 minutes prior to the performance start time.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as possible, but please be aware that some events have lock out periods where late comers cannot be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. Occasionally this is not until the interval, and in some instances late comers won’t be admitted at all.
Yes, use this information to prepare a risk assessment and risk management plan. Teachers undertaking a risk assessment and risk management plan should be aware that Sydney Opera House cannot complete the risk assessment for them.
Food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but not in the venues.
Please contact our Creative Learning Ticketing Specialists on 02 9250 7770 as soon as possible to advise if your group can no longer attend.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
The Opera House has also developed a Child-friendly Code of Conduct to engage with our youngest visitors.
Excursions at the Opera House
A Day Out at the House
Offer your students to an unforgettable day out at the Sydney Opera House with our new curated program. Students can attend a Creative Learning Performance or Workshop onsite accompanied by a Walking Tour of our internationally renowned performing arts centre, all in time to back by the final school bell.
Arts Assist
Does your School need financial assistance to attend a Sydney Opera House excursion?
Schools Tour
Filled with stories that demonstrate the power of creativity, students join a guided tour to learn how architect Jørn Utzon created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of 20th century architecture.
